BASKETBALL
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Wollongong Hawks newcomer Adris Deleon expects to form a lethal backcourt combination with fellow off-season recruit Lance Hurdle.
Deleon and Hurdle will make their official Hawks debuts in Friday night's season opener against the hated Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Upon arriving in Wollongong a few weeks ago, the man nicknamed "2hard2guard" said he was looking forward to lining up alongside Hurdle.
He also said he was keen to play with Wollongong back-up point guard Rhys Martin.
"I don't know a whole lot about [Hurdle], but it seems like he's kind of a scorer like me ... I like that," Deleon said.
"I played with Gibbo [Adam Gibson] last year and I don't mind sharing the ball. If somebody's hot you go to them and feed them.
"Martin's a pretty good player. He's smart. Last year I remember he ran the team or slowed it down when they had to.
"I'm looking forward to playing with both those guys."
Born in the Dominican Republic, Deleon moved to the United States with his family when he was nine.
A New York City street ball cult hero, he had a season in Australia last year with the Gold Coast Blaze and was constantly on the move in the off-season before signing with Wollongong.
"I've been travelling all summer," he said.
"I went to London, Paris, came home for a little bit and went back to DR and played for a little bit, then I came back to New York for a couple of games. I went back to DR ... it was back and forth, back and forth and now I'm here. It's been a pretty good summer so far."
Asked to explain the origins of his unique nickname, the 27-year-old said: "One time there was a tournament I played back home. I was just scoring and doing everything and they said, 'This kid is too hard to guard'. I went home, but the next day I was in the park and they were saying 'Come watch 2hard2guard play'. I didn't know who they were talking about. I was like 'Who's that?' They were like 'That's you'.
"It became my nickname and it just built up, but I really take pride in it."
Hawks followers are going to love the free-spirited Deleon, especially younger fans.
As for the players he loves to watch, Deleon names a couple of NBA guards - old and new.
"My favourite player is [16-season veteran] Ray Allen," he said.
"Outside or inside, the way he shoots. We're not the same type of player and don't have the same game, but I love his game.
"Years ago it was Penny Hardaway but he got hurt. I kind of picked up a new one. I like [Team USA gold medallist Russell] Westbrook. He's got that killer instinct."